After Noah — Local services in London

Update:

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for providing context around the situation. I genuinely appreciate the apology.

However, I feel the need to clarify that we weren't much further into the store when we heard the radio message. To be specific, after looking at the greeting cards at the entrance, we were standing just three steps inside the store, in a small, wide-open space where the cashier and aisles were visible. This is where we heard the message.

I understand and empathize with your concerns about the safety of your staff and the community in Islington, as crime is prevalent in many areas, including my own. My intention was never to shame the store or staff without considering the circumstances. However, when I walked in, I did not sense any commotion or issue, and I feel that the radio message was broadcast loudly and inappropriately, especially considering where we were standing.

I was very excited to browse for a gift for my nephew, and as a cautious traveler, I made sure to open my bag at the entrance and clearly stated what I was doing to avoid any altercations or suspicion. Regardless of whether the message was intended for us or someone else, I believe it was unprofessional to broadcast it so openly when it could have been handled discreetly, away from customers, to avoid frightening others.

Additionally, I feel that the phrasing, “I’m unsure why you thought the message might have related to you,” downplays how we felt in the moment. As I was putting my glasses on and closing my bag, I noticed one of the workers had her head facing me briefly as the message played. I hope this helps clarify where we were and how the situation unfolded from our perspective.

————————————————————————— This was, without a doubt, the worst customer service experience I’ve ever had, and as a first-time visitor to both this shop and London, it left me feeling hurt and unwelcome. I always go out of my way to support local shops, especially when I’m abroad, and was excited to check out this local toy boutique and perhaps buy a few gifts. Unfortunately, I was left with a very negative impression instead.

Just two steps into the store, I reached into my bag to grab my glasses, even saying aloud to my partner, “Let me take out my glasses.” To my shock, the employee standing nearby immediately radioed, “Please check the cameras from the last minute at the entrance,” loud enough for the entire store to hear. It felt as though I was being treated like a suspect the moment I walked in. I continued browsing because I knew I had done nothing wrong, hoping that the owners themselves wouldn’t condone such treatment.

I’ve traveled to many places, including Asia and Latin America, and have never experienced such rude treatment. It’s especially disheartening because I genuinely wanted to support this local business. Instead, I left feeling embarrassed and disappointed. Sadly, other 1-star reviews seem to echo similar experiences.

To the owners, please kindly check your footage from this day and address this with your staff. I’m sharing this in the hope that such a great store can hire people who create a welcoming environment...

I never expected to experience such an appalling and unempathetic service from an "independant" shop.

After my husband spoke to the manager on the phone, trying to get in touch with Celtheath to rearrange a badly scheduled delivery slot, he was told by the sarcastic Simon he "doesn't have a magic batphone to get in touch with them" and to just continuously ring, and ring, and ring. If you can't get through...tough. The constant interruptions whilst we spoke to explain what was happening, sighing and clear lack of responsibility for an order placed with them was a very stark sign that this was a huge error on our part to have given them our business. Great start to a dreadful few weeks.

Our sofa couldn't fit up the stairs to our flat. Such a shame but things happen!

When we reached out to After Noah for support and solutions, we were greeted with nothing but lack of care, boredom and straight refusal to show any kind of care whatsoever. We had grievance with Celtheath, they are not equipped to deliver sofas in an alternative capacity.

As usual, the disparity in wealth rings hard and true here. It's all good if you've got a house, or a big flat with a huge open walkway where someone can throw your furniture down the hallway. But if you're from a humble home, you don't have the privilege of space, do not buy furniture from this store.

They claim to be a family run business, as they'll ram down your throat if you dare question their terrible processes or take issue with their partners, but they are the total opposite. I've had better care and conversation with my dog over the debacle of this sofa delivery who has been very understanding of the tears, frustration and anxiety of a pregnant woman getting bigger every day, being sat on a hardwood floor, besides herself that she'll be not only out of pocket by £1200 with a baby on the way, but will be spending the next few months crippled and uncomfortable.

Privileged families screwing over the less fortunate - what a surprise.

Over an extra £300 later, we have sorted out our issue with little to no help from Matthew (Don't dare call him Matt. Probably where it all went wrong.)

Dear Matthew, You have treated us with no respect whatsoever, and to claim you're a "family" business is an insult to genuine, hardworking, family run businesses across London. The arrogance and snobbery that is seeping out of your store is horrific, and you don't deserve to operate here.

Consumers - Be weary. Buy a cushion or a book, you'll probably be safe there, but if somethings wrong with that then you've...

This is a lovely shop with beautiful toys, trinkets and furniture. I bought some Lego and a sweet little duck yesterday. I've shopped here many times without complaint, I have a mirror, shelving and have bought Maileg mice, clothing and accessories, my keyring is a pewter sausage dog from here, lots of cards, ornaments, Lego and Playmobil gifts.

Yesterday, the assistants were grudgingly helpful, the person who served me looked like she hates being interrupted by customers, she told me should would have to check whether she could sell the duck due to it being in a cup in a window display.

I was also surprised by the price of a small paper bag. 50p - didn't check if I was happy to pay that amount. A few words from the assistant would have explained that these are charity bags. I left a Google review (replaced by this one) and the reply from the owner was that this is explained on the receipt, he couldn't have known that the assistant asked me if I needed the receipt and I declined. Matthew also went into a long charity shaming spiel in an attempt to embarrass me.

His response only confirms my view that this is a very middle class shop with a sniffy attitude to customers. Rather than accepting criticism or that they may have got it wrong, he tried to make me look foolish because I hadn't read a receipt that THEY didn't give to me.

He also denied that the person serving me was not welcoming, friendly or interested in scanning my items. She wasn't dreadful, she definitely was disinterested. Both the assistants were more focused in unboxing a large delivery of Lego than taking my money.

Again Matthew was defensive in his response, singing the praises of this person and implying I must be difficult by referring to the "hundreds of positive reviews they have". Matthew needs to realise that I was there, he wasn't, so I'm completely uninterested in his conjecture about the interaction.

I've also seen Matthew's responses to the less favourable reviews and each one is defensive. It's such a shame that as the business owner he has no interest in learning from unhappy customers. I would have been happy to shop there again if Matthew's response had been helpful but I'm afraid the arrogant, berating tone in his reply will ensure that I never shop at After Noah again.

When using this business consider whether they will help you if you have an issue, or, whether they will try to charity shame you and berate you based on their suppositions rather than the reality of an...